GTG 1908 Indian Head Cent

Howdy folks,

As mentioned in an earlier thread, got some TrueViews of a few favorites. Here's one open for guesses:




Hope yall are having a nice Friday!

 

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Strike: average strike. Not super crisp, but not mushy.

Luster: hard to tell from these pictures, but the reverse appears to have strong luster at least. I'll bet its quite flashy in hand.

Eye Appeal: The original cherry red surfaces are quite attractive. Appears to be some toning on the high points, most likely from prolonged contact with a paper envelope. A few minor spots scattered across the coin, most notably in the center of the reverse. The high point toning takes it out of RD, but definitely RB.

Contact marks: A couple of minor marks in the fields, scattered fine tickmarks on devices. No major marks to note.

All this points to at least a 65. If the luster is strong, a 66 is likely. So, I'm going to split the difference and call it a 65+RB.

 

65-66 RB

 

RD-64 ........

 

63 RB

 

I'm not in to these numerical grades. I'll just call it Awesome.

 

I grade a 64+RB

 

64. RB

 

I'm at a MS-64 RB

 

64 RB

 

65 RB

 

While I've been given a whole lot of flak on recent threads for posting and explaining my reasoning, I find it to be a whole lot more useful than just posting a number (as everyone besides me has done).

For example, I really don't understand why you guys are grading this coin as 64.

Could some of you please describe what you are seeing and reason out your 64 grade? I'm calling it a borderline 66, and you're calling it a 64.

That means one of us is missing something. That's a very significant difference in grade. This discussion and explanation is what helps everyone learn.

 

Please keep giving your reasoning Jason. I find them helpful even when you're a tad brash.

Obverse: Small dig in field inside A1. Ding on bridge of nose. Mutiple very small abrasions on cheek. None of these are bad and some would be difficult to discern to the naked eye. Spots are a bit distracting and maybe hurt the grade a tiny bit. IMO a 65.


Reverse: Very clean but the letters of the denomination are a bit scratchy. Rate the reverse as a 65+

Obverse rules so I'm calling it a 65 RB.

 

63rb

 

Here's my reasoning: it's just a guess.

Seriously though, I don't consider myself an expert. I've collected since childhood but I feel like I've only been seriously into numismatics for about 5 years. The coin could very well be a 65. It has good luster and clean fields, but I think oxidization spots, though small, call too much attention. The coin does have a few light marks on the high points of the field. MS64 is my "safe" guess. Perhaps I should be more daring?

 

65 red. Almost no marks. Close call to rb and a couple carbon spots but this is gem unc

 

Appreciate the guesses and the lively discussion! If there are no more guesses, I'll plan to reveal in about an hour.

 

MS64RD

My thinking is it could maybe be 64+/65 on a good day, but this was originally graded in an older holder. I'd imagine if it were sent raw today, it might get the 65; however...

The RD has certainly started creeping into the RB range. In hand, the coin looks more "original" and red, but as the TrueView reveals, the cheek and bridge of her nose definitely have brownish hints.





I've posted a picture of the reverse as well to show that the spots - though very clearly present - aren't as dramatic as the TrueView would have you believe.

@physics-fan3.14 I'm a big fan of your detailed breakdown here I think you nailed it; I'll add on re: strike- definitely not super strong; diamonds in Liberty's hair are a bit difficult to see in hand. Additionally, the wreath detail isn't as strong as some other IHCs I've seen. I'd imagine this would've been the primary contributor preventing the coin from grading a bit higher. And re: luster- that's what drew me to this coin; in hand it really looks as lustrous as a fresh 2020 cent you'd receive as change.

Thanks again folks!

 

Wow, well there's a surprise.

What am I missing in these images? Because they do not look like a 64 coin to me.

 

Sorry; I cheated. Posted pics then went and edited bunch of text into the post. See my comment above